noun
ticking
Strong, usually striped fabric used to cover mattresses or pillows.
Striped ticking covers the old mattress.
Etymology
Ticking is formed from tick, an older word for a mattress or its covering. It names the strong fabric used to contain the filling.
More examples
- She bought ticking to make sturdy cushion covers.
- The pillow's ticking had worn thin.
- A roll of blue-and-white ticking stood in the shop.
Forms
ticking
Similar words
- canvas
- A different sturdy cloth, not specifically a bedding cover.